Nonsinkable detachable vest



July 31, 1934. R. J. GAZELLE 1,968,197

NONSINKABLE DETACHABLE VEST Filed Jan. 15, 1934 Patented July 31, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in non-sinkable detachable vests, and its main object is to provide a garment of this character which is readily endorsed over any type of bathing suit or removed. Another object of this invention is to provide a non-sinkable garment which may be equally worn as a life preserver or as a windbreakerf A further object is to provide a garment of this character to match a bathing suit and may be worn on the beach when it is cool.

This invention consists broadly of preferably a sleeveless and loosely fitting jacket, open in front and closed by any suitable means, and extending below the hips of the wearer. Said jacket is preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinal folds, between each of which is located an air-tight elongated pouch, closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said pouches extending to adjacent the height of the hips. Upon the inner side of said pouches is located a lining which is suitably secured thereto and to the jacket and. which extends also to adjacent the hips and upon the edge of which is secured preferably a resilient belt, adjusted to secure the lower end of said lining to the body of the wearer, so as to always maintain the said pouches in operative position and prevent the inrush of water from passing between the said lining and the body. The said air-tight pouches, when free from compressed air, caused by the inrushing water, when the wearer enters into the water, are collapsed and folded, so that when not in use, the vest will fit close to the body, but when submerged, the water, upon entering through the open ends of the air-tight pouches, will compress the air therein, instantly providing a plurality of floaters, that will hold the wearer afloat.

In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a front view of a vest according to the invention shown upon a person;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the vest, the lower edges being lifted so as to show the inner belt and lining;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation view; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross-section view of the air-tight-pouches, when partly inflated.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

Referring to the drawing, 1 is an inner lining adapted to fit around the upper part of the body and preferably extending to adjacent the hips, and 2 is an adjustable or resilient belt adapted to secure said lining in position upon the body. 50 Over said lining 1 is provided an outer jacket or vest 3, (with or without sleeves) preferably secured in front by any suitable securing means 4, said jacket being secured to said lining at the top, but open at its lower end. Said jacket is preferably of larger diameter than the lining, so as to form a plurality of folds 5, in each of which is located an air-tight-pouch 6 closed at its upper end and open at its lower end. The purpose of these folds is to take up the looseness of the jacket, when the air-tight pouches are not inflated, so as toavoid bulging and to provide a relatively tight fitting garment, but when said pouches are inflated, the said folds form the side walls of the said pouches.

It is essential that the inner lining and openlower end of the air-tight pouches should be held in position adjacent the hips, and in some cases, the belt 2 may not be sufficient. To obviate this,

a strap '7 is secured to the lower edge of the back of the lining and is made to pass in between the legs and is attached or secured by any suitable means 8 tothe lower edge of the front portion of said lining.

What I claim as my invention is:-

A non-sinkable garment comprising an outer jacket and an inner lining, the lining terminating adjacent the hips of a wearer and the outer jacket extending below the hips, an elastic belt at the lower end of the lining to effect snug contact between the garment and body of the wearer. a crotch strap carried by one side of the lining and adapted to be attached to the opposite side thereof to prevent the lower edge of the garment from rising above the hips, and the outer jacket having a series of vertically extending folds defining air-tight pouches closed at their upper ends and open at their lower ends at the outer side of the garment, stitching located between the pouches for connecting the outer jacket to the lining and the side edges of the pouches having laterally directed return fold portions disposed outwardly of the stitching and overlying the same toprovide air chambers of increased area in the pouches.

ROLLAND J. GAZELLE. 

